Multimode Communication Terminal and Multimode Communication Implementation Method

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a multimode communication terminal which contains at least a first separate channel module and a second separate channel module. The multimode communication terminal can be configured to communicate by using the first channel module and/or the second channel module. The channel modules communicate according to different communication protocols. The multimode communication terminal further comprises: channel switch layer means for switching the first channel module to have parameter characteristics consistent with those of the second channel module, so that the multimode communication terminal enables the MIMO operation mode by using the first channel module and the second channel module at the same time. The present invention further provides a method for enabling a MIMO operation mode in a multimode communication terminal. By using a relatively small number of RF communication modules, the present invention implements a wireless mobile multimode communication terminal which enables various operation modes including the MIMO operation mode. Compared with the existing solutions, the present invention greatly reduces the size required by the terminal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to wireless or mobilecommunication, and more particularly, to a multimode wirelesscommunication terminal enabling an antenna array and a correspondingmultimode communication implementation method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the wireless mobile communication terminal market with fiercecompetition, terminal manufacturers are committed to developing wirelessmobile communication terminals comprising a plurality of wirelessinterfaces. These wireless interfaces establish wireless connections forexample based on the Bluetooth wireless technique, the WLAN (wirelesslocal area network) protocol, 2G (the 2^(nd) generation network, likeGSM—Global System for Mobile Communication), 2.5G (the 2.5-generationsystem, like GPRS—General Packet Radio Service), 3G (the 3^(rd)generation system, like UMTS—Universal Mobile Telecommunication System)and the next generation data transfer protocol such as WiMax/Wibro andthe like.

FIG. 1A depicts an exemplary configuration diagram of a multimodecommunication terminal in the prior art. The communication terminal 100Acomprises three wireless interfaces, namely a Bluetooth interface 1100dedicated to data communication based on the Bluetooth wirelesstechnique, a WLAN interface 1200 dedicated to data communicationaccording to the WLAN protocol, and a mobile communication interface1300 dedicated to data communication according to the mobilecommunication protocol (e.g. GSM, GPRS, CDMA, etc.). Each of theinterfaces comprises a baseband processor adapted to its own usedprotocol (i.e. comprising a Bluetooth baseband processor 1110, a WLANbaseband processor 1210 and a mobile communication baseband processor1310, respectively), a clock module for providing a sample clockaccording to its own used protocol (i.e. comprising a Bluetooth clock1120, a WLAN clock 1220 and a mobile communication clock 1320,respectively), an A/D and D/A converter for converting a signal fromanalog to digital and from digital to analog according to its respectiveclock signals (i.e. comprising an A/D and D/A converter 1130, an A/D andD/A converter 1230 and an A/D and D/A converter 1330, respectively), aRF processing module adapted to its own used protocol (i.e. comprising aBluetooth RF processing module 1140, a WLAN RF processing module 1240and a mobile communication RF processing module 1340, respectively), andan antenna adapted to the used protocol (i.e. comprising a Bluetoothantenna 1150, a WLAN antenna 1250 and a mobile communication antenna1350, respectively). Due to the similarity in performed functions, theA/D and D/A converters, the RF processing modules and the antennas atrespective wireless interfaces usually have similar or even the samephysical structure. The difference is that depending on respective usedprotocols, they operate in different modes and accordingly havedifferent operation characteristic parameters, such as RF centralfrequency, bandwidth, IF central frequency, baseband sample rate etc. Asan example, FIG. 1 schematically depicts the main configuration of theRF processing modules at respective interfaces. They have the sameconfiguration but operate on different frequency bands. For example,Bluetooth RF processing module 1140 operates on 2.402-2.408 GHz, whereasmobile communication RF processing module 1340 using CDMA2000-1xoperates on 1.6 GHz. The configuration and operating principle of suchRF processing modules are well known to those skilled in the art, andthe detailed description thereof is omitted here.

According to the multimode communication terminal of the structure asdepicted in FIG. 1, signals are independently received/transmitted andbaseband processed via respective interfaces, and data to be received ortransmitted is independently exchanged with an application processor1000 which can start/cease the operation of one or more wirelessinterfaces according to user's commands or predetermined conditions.

To support higher-speed multimedia application, such as Mobile TV, it isrequired that the next generation mobile communication system usingE3G/B3G/4G or the like and the next generation wireless system usingWiFi or WiMAX or the like support orthogonal frequency divisionmultiplexing (OFDM) and multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) techniques.In the MIMO technique, a plurality of antennas, i.e. an antenna array,can be used for communication transmission on both transmitter side andreceiver side. If channels among respective transmitting/receivingantennas are independent of one another, a plurality of parallel spatialchannels can be created using the spatial coherence or non-coherence ofthe antenna array. By transmitting data signals via these parallelspatial channels, signal-to-noise (SNR) will be enhanced significantlyand data transmission rates will be increased.

However, in order to enable an antenna array with the MIMO technique ona multimode communication terminal, it is required that thecommunication terminal comprise more antennas, RF processing modules aswell as A/D and D/A converters than those in the configuration depictedin FIG. 1A. This will give rise to the problem of cost and handsetstructure.

FIG. 1B depicts an exemplary configuration of a multimode communicationterminal enabling an antenna array with the MIMO technique in the priorart. A communication terminal 100B comprises three wireless interfaces,namely Bluetooth interface 1100 dedicated to data communication based onthe Bluetooth wireless technique, WLAN interface 1200 dedicated to datacommunication according to the WLAN protocol, and a mobile communicationinterface 1300B dedicated to data communication according to the mobilecommunication protocol. Among them, the mobile communication interface1300B which uses the MIMO technique has an antenna array consisting ofantennas 1350-1, 1350-2 and 1350-3, and in correspondence to respectiveantennas, mobile communication clocks 1320-1, 1320-2 and 1320-3, A/D andD/A converters 1330-1, 1330-2 and 1330-3 as well as mobile communicationRF processing modules 1340-1, 1340-2 and 1340-3, to support three mobilecommunication parallel spatial channels. In mobile communicationbaseband processor 1310 are correspondingly added functional modules toprocess spatial signals, such as a spatial filter 1311 and a spatialsignal analyzing module 1312 as depicted in FIG. 1B. In an operatingstate, the three parallel spatial channels formed by the antennas, theRF processing modules as well as the A/D and D/A converters receive/senddata signals independently and synchronously (controlled by respectivemobile communication clocks). The antennas, the mobile communication RFmodules and the A/D and D/A converters respectively belonging to thethree parallel spatial channels usually have consistent physicalconfiguration and the same operation characteristics, such as RF centralfrequency, bandwidth, IF central frequency, baseband sample rate, etc.

Regarding to a wireless mobile communication terminal, good portabilityis usually necessary, i.e. the spatial size must be as small aspossible. Additionally, both the manufacture cost and power supplybelong to highly sensitive and key factors during design. On theexisting wireless mobile communication terminal, only one RF channelwith antenna will occupy ¼ to ⅓ of board area and will cost ⅕ to ¼engineering bill of material (EBOM). Apparently, to manufacture awireless mobile communication terminal according to the existingtechnical solution as depicted in FIG. 1B, the product spatial size willbe necessarily increased so as to accommodate added RF channels of acorresponding antenna array. This will cause the increase of manufacturecost and the problem of conspicuous system power supply, which meanssuch kind of multimode communication terminals can hardly meet therequirement in implementation and application and thus cannot occupy thewireless mobile communication terminal market with increasingly fiercecompetition.

To resolve this problem, a feasible method is to seek RF channel modules(including antennas, RF processing modules, clocks, A/D and D/Aconverters, etc.) with smaller size and higher integrity in order toreduce the board area of a single RF channel. However, the design of theexisting RF channel modules is basically a well-developed technique andleaves little room for improvement. Moreover, even if the board area ofa single RF channel is reduced by enhancing system integrity, thereduced margin is inadequate in relation to the expansion of spatialsize caused by the several-fold increase of the number of RF channels.

Therefore, there is a need for a novel multimode communication terminalsystem architecture which enables the MIMO operation mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To resolve the problems in the prior art, the present invention providesa switch-based multimode communication terminal system architecturewhich enables the MIMO operation mode.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, provided is amultimode communication terminal comprising at least a first separatechannel module and a second separate channel module. The multimodecommunication terminal can be configured to communicate by using thefirst channel module and/or the second channel module. The channelmodules communicate according to different communication protocols. Themultimode communication terminal further comprises: channel switch layermeans for switching the first channel module to have parametercharacteristics consistent with those of the second channel module, sothat said multimode communication terminal enables the MIMO operationmode by using the first channel module and the second channel module atthe same time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, provided is amethod for enabling the MIMO operation mode on a multimode communicationterminal comprising at least a first separate channel module and asecond separate channel module. The multimode communication terminal canbe configured to communicate by using the first channel module and/orthe second channel module. The channel modules communicate according todifferent communication protocols. The method comprises the step of:switching said the first channel module to have parametercharacteristics consistent with the second channel module, so that themultimode communication terminal enables the MIMO operation mode byusing the first channel module and the second channel module at the sametime.

By switching among RF channel modules, the present invention implementswith a relatively small number of RF communication modules a wirelessmobile multimode communication terminal enabling various operation modesincluding the MIMO operation mode. Compared with the existing solutions,the present invention greatly reduces the size required by the terminal,decreases the energy consumption required during the operation of theterminal and accordingly enhances the utility of the terminal. Moreover,based on the technical solution of the present invention, a novel,switch-based and unified multimode wireless mobile terminal systemarchitecture can be achieved and thereby the configuration of multimodewireless terminals is further optimized.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the detailed description of embodiments of thepresent invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the following accompanying drawings, features andadvantages of embodiments of the present invention will be explained indetail. If possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in theaccompanying drawings and the corresponding description to designate thesame or similar parts, wherein:

FIG. 1A depicts an exemplary configuration diagram of a multimodecommunication terminal in the prior art;

FIG. 1B depicts an exemplary configuration of a multimode communicationterminal which enables an antenna array of the MIMO technique in theprior art;

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary configuration of a multimode communicationterminal which enables an antenna array according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 schematically depicts an operating state in which the multimodecommunication terminal as depicted in FIG. 2 operates in a communicationmode using the MIMO technique;

FIG. 4 schematically depicts an operating state in which the multimodecommunication terminal as depicted in FIG. 2 simultaneously operates ina communication mode using the MIMO technique and in another mode;

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary configuration of a multimode communicationterminal which enables an antenna array according to another embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 6 schematically depicts an operating state in which the multimodecommunication terminal as depicted in FIG. 5 operates in a communicationmode using the MIMO technique;

FIG. 7 schematically depicts an operating state in which the multimodecommunication terminal as depicted in FIG. 5 simultaneously operates ina communication mode using the MIMO technique and in another mode;

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of a method of enabling a MIMO operation modethrough switch on a multimode communication terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart of a method of enabling a MIMO operation modethrough switch on a multimode communication terminal according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B each depict an exemplary configuration of a multimodecommunication terminal in the prior art. Since they have been set forthin detail in the BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION, details thereof will notbe repeated here.

The technical solution of the present invention is based on such a factthat the current design of multimode communication terminals tends tointegrate multiple (e.g. at least two) wireless interfaces into onesingle smart communication terminal, whereas the actual usageprobability of the interfaces significantly decrements with the typenumber of the interfaces which are used at the same time. Take amultimode communication terminal with three wireless interfaces as anexample. In most cases users communicate by using only one type ofinterface, and in less cases they communicate by using two types ofinterfaces at the same, and they seldom communicate by using all threetypes of interfaces at the same time. In other words, even if amultimode communication terminal cannot support users to simultaneouslyuse all wireless interfaces provided by it, the users are unlikely tohave a strongly unpleasant experience. That is to say, the users canendure such restrictions against the use of interfaces.

Therefore, the present invention provides a solution of a multimodecommunication terminal which enables an antenna array, which can supporta communication mode using the MIMO technique by utilizing less RFchannel modules. The basic idea of the multimode communication terminalaccording to the present invention is to support an antenna array basedon switching in operations. The present invention provides a channelswitch layer at the control aspect for the multimode communicationterminal. The operating states of the respective channel modules, dataflows and data processing procedures corresponding to respectivecommunication modes are switched and controlled by the channel switchlayer so that a subset of N wireless interfaces comprised by themultimode communication terminal can serve as a wireless interface of acommunication mode supporting the MIMO technique when there is a need tooperate in a communication mode supporting the MIMO technique (i.e. theoperation mode using an antenna array), wherein the number n of thewireless interfaces comprised in this subset satisfies 2≦n≦N.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail inconjunction with various embodiments. The term “connect” and descriptionassociated with “connect” as used in the present invention means toinclude both physical connection and logical connection. Those skilledin the art may understand that different from “physical connection”which means connection with concrete physical lines, “logicalconnection” stresses mutual association in logical sense (e.g.controlling and being controlled, data exchange). The physicalimplementation of such association might resort to other relevantphysical modules and/or physical lines and/or program codes etc., whichare well known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary configuration of a multimode communicationterminal which enables an antenna array according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the configuration of a multimode communicationterminal 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention issimilar to that of the multimode communication terminal as depicted inFIG. 1A, which comprises: three (N=3) wireless interfaces 2100, 2200 and2300 as well as an application processor 2000. The multimodecommunication terminal 200 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention further comprises a channel switch layer 2400 forswitch-controlling respective wireless interfaces (including RF channelsand D/A converters) so as to select the current operation states for therespective interfaces according to needs. Normally, the wirelessinterface 2100 is used for data communication by using a Bluetoothbaseband processor 2110, a Bluetooth clock 2120, an A/D and D/Aconverter 2130, a RF module 2140 as well as an antenna 2150 thereinbased on the Bluetooth wireless technique; the wireless interface 2200is used for data communication by using a WLAN baseband processor 2210,a WLAN clock 2220, an A/D and D/A converter 2230, a RF module 2240 aswell as an antenna 2250 and according to the WLAN protocol; and wirelessinterface 2300 is used for data communication by using a mobilecommunication baseband processor 2310, a mobile communication clock2320, an A/D and D/A converter 2330, a RF module 2340 as well as anantenna 2350 according to the mobile communication protocol. Undercertain conditions (e.g. Quality of Service requirement, userdesignation, etc.), the mobile communication channel needs to usemultiple RF channels so as to adopt a MIMO operation mode. At thispoint, under the control of the channel switch layer 2400, the operatingstate of the wireless interface 2100 and/or wireless interface 2200 maybe changed to operate as a mobile communication interface. Theyreceive/transmit in the MIMO operation mode mobile communication datatogether with the wireless interface 2300 according to the mobilecommunication protocol.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, the channelswitch layer 2400 comprises: a switch notifying unit 2410, data channelswitching means 2420, channel module switching means 2430, an arrayelement switching module 2413 and optionally, an adjustment-correctionmodule 2414.

The switch notifying unit 2410 may be implemented as a functional moduleresiding on the application processor 2000 or another control processorin the multimode communication terminal 200. When a switch isneeded(e.g. required by Quality of Service, designated by a user) andswitch conditions are in place, i.e. there is currently at least oneidle wireless interface (e.g. the wireless interface 2100 and/orwireless interface 2200), the switch notifying unit 2410 can issuenotification instructions to the other modules of the channel switchlayer 2400, notifying them to get prepared for switch. The notificationinstructions may be simple switch instructions indicating an operatingstate to be switched into or including parameter information related tothe switch. As needed, the switch notifying unit 2410 may be configuredto select a currently optimum switch policy according to a certainpredetermined rule(s), wherein the switch policy may comprise, forexample, how to select the number of the wireless interfaces to beswitched, how to decide which wireless interface or wireless interfacescan be switched, etc. Such switch policy helps to resolve conflictswhich might occur in case that a multimode communication terminal has tobe operated simultaneously in more than one modes (for example, sincehigher communication quality and bandwidth are requested by the currentservice, the multimode communication terminal 200 has to operate in thecommunication mode using the MIMO technique, and at that moment, theuser issues a request for Bluetooth service via the applicationinterface). However, the design and the implementation of the switchpolicy are not the problem addressed by the present invention, which arerelated to such design elements as application scenarios, targetperformance and target client group and can be adjusted and changed bythose skilled in the art.

The channel module switching means 2430 extracts channel parameters of areference channel (i.e. a wireless interface) according to the switchinstructions issued from the switch notifying unit 2410, and configuresthe wireless interface(s) to be switched with the extracted parameters.Different radio applications, critical characteristics would bedifferent, which may comprise, for example, RF central frequency, IFfrequency, bandwidth and baseband sample rate. However, in case ofapplying these different wireless interfaces to the operation mode usingthe MIMO technique, respective involved wireless interfaces must havecompletely the same parameter configuration. In present, expansion ofuse has been taken into consideration in the design of such modules asantennas, RF modules as well as A/D and D/A converters. That is to say,most of these modules are able to operate in multiple differentbasebands or relatively broad operation domain value. The channel moduleswitching means 2430 may be connected respectively with the RF modules2140, 2240 and 2340 and configure the RF module 2140 and/or 2240 withcorresponding parameters obtained from the reference RF module 2340. Onthe other hand, the channel module switching means 2430 is required toprovide a D/A conversion clock for the switched wireless interface. Inthe operation mode using the MIMO technique, since received signals inthe respective wireless interfaces have to be D/A and A/D converted atthe same baseband sample rate, the switched wireless interface mustapply a clock completely synchronous with that of the reference wirelessinterface. The channel module switching means 2430 will directly providethe clock signal obtained from the mobile communication clock 2320 ofthe wireless interface 2300 to the A/D and D/A converter 2130 of thewireless interface 2100 to be switched or the A/D and D/A converter 2230of wireless interface 2200 to be switched, to replace the clock signalsprovided by Bluetooth clock 2120 and the WLAN clock 2220, respectively.

It should be understood that as the basic functions performed by channelmodule switching means 2430 have been described above, those skilled inthe art may understand that concrete implementation of these functionsare associated with reconfiguration manners of respective modules in thewireless interface to be switched. For example, some multimode RFmodules are able to convert their operation modes automatically, andthus the channel module switching means 2430 only needs to send acontrol signal to notify them of switching to a desired operation mode;some RF module may be provided with optional hardware circuitcomponents, and thus the channel module switching means 2430 may berequired to deliver detailed parameter values obtained from thereference wireless interface to an designated input of such RF modulesso as to convert their operation modes. Therefore, those skilled in theart can design an implementation of the channel module switching means2430 according to the present invention in light of the hardwareconfiguration of a specific wireless interface, and variousimplementations are deemed as the modifications of the RF channel moduleswitching means according to the present invention.

The data channel switching means 2420 is used for switching basebanddata received from and/or transmitted to the A/D and D/A converter in aswitched wireless interface, so that the A/D and D/A converter of theswitched wireless interface, in the operation mode using the MIMOtechnique, exchanges the baseband data with the mobile communicationbaseband processor 2310 at wireless interface 2300. The mobilecommunication baseband processor 2310 contains modules adapted toprocess spatial multiplexing signals in the operation mode using theMIMO technique, such as a spatial filter 2311, a spatial signal analyzer2312 etc.

It should be understood that as the basic functions performed by thedata channel switching means 2420 have been described above, thoseskilled in the art may understand that concrete implementation of thesefunctions depend on specific circuitry arrangements of the multimodecommunication terminal. According to an exemplary implementation, thedata channel switching means 2420 may comprise such physical componentsas a switch array and corresponding wirings between the switch array andthe mobile communication baseband processor 2310 and between the switcharray and the A/D and D/A converters of the respective wirelessinterfaces to be switched. Therefore, those skilled in the art candesign an implementation of the data channel switching means 2420according to the present invention in light of the specific circuitryarrangement of the multimode communication terminal. Furthermore,various implementations are deemed as modifications of the data channelswitching means according to the present invention.

The array element switching module 2413 is used to set an algorithm inaccordance with the number n of available array elements in the antennaarray, so that the baseband processing of the MIMO signal can be adaptedto the current situation of the radio application. Specifically, if theswitch notifying unit 2410 notifies the array element switching module2413 to operate in the operation mode using the MIMO technique in whichthe number of the array elements in the antenna array is 3 (i.e. boththe wireless interfaces 2100 and 2200 are switched to the operation modeusing the MIMO technique, for mobile communication together with thewireless interface 2300), then the switch notifying unit 2410 controlsto select a algorithm for spatial filtering and signal analysis wherethe number of antennas is 3. If the switch notifying unit 2410 notifiesthe array element switching module 2413 to operate in the operation modeusing the MIMO technique in which the number of array elements in theantenna array is 2 (i.e. one of the wireless interfaces 2100 and 2200 isswitched to the operation mode using the MIMO technique, for mobilecommunication together with the wireless interface 2300), then theswitch notifying unit 2410 controls to select an algorithm for spatialfiltering and signal analysis where the number of antennas is 2.

The array element switching module 2413 is preferably implemented as afunction module residing on the mobile communication baseband processor2310. Of course, those skilled in the art can implement array elementswitching module 2413 as a function module residing on other controlprocessors in the terminal.

Moreover, it should be understood that in some examples, for instance inan example in which the multimode communication terminal is set to beonly switched to a MIMO mode using a fixed number of antenna arrayelements (e.g. 2 or 3), the array element switching module 2413 is notneeded. Although this example without the array element switching unitis not preferable because it reduces the flexibility of multimodeselection performed by the multimode communication terminal, it can bean alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Alternatively, according to the embodiment of the present invention asdepicted in FIG. 2, the channel switching layer 2400 may furthercomprise an adjustment-correction module 2414, which is mainly used forcorrecting the difference between respective RF channels that operate inthe operation mode using MIMO technique. The basic function andprinciple of adjustment-correction module 2414 are the same as those ofthe correction mechanism of a receiver having an antenna array. Sincethe respective RF channels according to the present invention tend to bemuch more different in terms of construction and process than the RFchannels of the wireless interface 1300B, which are dedicated to enablean antenna array in FIG. 1B, it is preferred that they are corrected andadjusted by the adjustment-correction module 2414, so that the switchedMIMO system can operate normally and efficiently. The operatingprinciple of the adjustment-correction module 2414 can be briefed asfollows: a target signal spatial feature matrix in which deviation hasbeen cancelled by using the correction procedure can be obtained bymultiplying stored correction matrix {right arrow over (B)} with thespatial feature matrix of a signal received by the antenna array, whichcontains the deviation. Before the multimode communication terminal 200is dispatched from the factory, the manufacturer can test the terminalby using a test signal with known utilization power and an arrivingdirection, and then the correction matrix {right arrow over (B)} is aratio of the ideal test signal spatial feature matrix {right arrow over(A)} to the actual received signal spatial feature matrix {right arrowover (A)}′, i.e. {right arrow over (B)}={right arrow over (A′)}{rightarrow over (A)}⁻¹. In addition, physical characteristics of each channelthereof might change as the user uses the multimode communicationterminal and time goes by, and the correction matrix {right arrow over(B)} will changes accordingly. The adjustment-correction module 2414 maybe preferably designed to update the correction matrix {right arrow over(B)} regularly. For example, the multimode communication terminalregularly requests such network equipment as a base station to send atest signal, and then the adjustment-correction module 2414automatically tests and updates the correction matrix {right arrow over(B)} by using the test signal.

The adjustment-correction module 2414 may be preferably implemented as afunction module residing on the mobile communication baseband processor2310. Of course, those skilled in the art can further implement theadjustment-correction module 2414 as a function module residing on othercontrol processors in the terminal.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts an operating state in which the multimodecommunication mode as depicted in FIG. 2 operates in a communicationmode using the MIMO technique.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the switch notifying unit 2410 issues switchinstructions to all modules n the channel switch layer 2400, notifyingthe wireless interfaces 2100 and 2200 to switch into the operation modeusing the MIMO technique. According to the instructions, the respectivemodules can perform their own switch procedures in parallel. The channelmodule switching means 2430 obtains all required parameters from thereference channel—a mobile communication channel 0 (the wirelessinterface 2300) and provides them to the wireless interfaces 2100 and2200, so that the antennas 2150, 2250 and the RF modules 2140, 2240 canoperate in the mobile communication operation frequency band and providethe A/D and D/A converters 2130 and 2230 with the clock signal of themobile communication clock 2320 as their baseband sample clocks. Throughthe switch procedure, the data channel switching means 2420 causes theA/D and D/A converter 2130 in the wireless interface 2100 and the A/Dand D/A converter 2230 in the wireless interface 2200 to exchange datawith the mobile communication baseband processor 2310 in the wirelessinterface 2300 other than with the baseband processors 2110, 2210 intheir own wireless interfaces. In this way, the wireless interface 2100and the wireless interface 2200 work as a mobile communication channel 2and a mobile communication channel 1 respectively for mobilecommunication in the MIMO mode together with the wireless interface 2300(i.e. the wireless mobile communication channel 0). Upon receipt of theswitch notification from the switch notifying unit 2410, the arrayelement switching module 2413 switches algorithm required in processingthe MIMO signal, for example, a corresponding algorithm used in thespatial filter 2311 and signal analyzing module 2312 to an algorithmadapted to the situation in which the number of array elements in theantenna array is 3. In the downlink direction, signals from the mobilecommunication channels 0, 1 and 2 are inputted into the mobilecommunication baseband processor 2310, adjusted by theadjustment-correction module 2414 and then inputted into the spatialfilter 2311 and subsequently into the signal analyzing module 2312 inwhich the received multi-channel spatial multiplexing signals arebaseband processed. Next, the resulted data is transferred to theapplication processor 2000 for subsequent application such as multimediapresentation. In the uplink direction, mobile communication data to betransmitted is transferred to the mobile communication basebandprocessor 2310 by the application processor 2000 to form basebandsignals, which are in turn sent on the mobile communication channels 0,1 and 2 in the MIMO mode and via the antenna array.

FIG. 4 schematically depicts an operating state in which the multimodecommunication terminal as depicted in FIG. 2 simultaneously operates inboth a communication mode using the MIMO technique and another mode.

As depicted in FIG. 4, the switch notifying unit 2410 issues switchinstructions to all modules in the channel switch layer 2400, notifyingthe wireless interface 2200 to switch into the operation mode using theMIMO technique, while the wireless interface 2100 keeps the existingcommunication based on the Bluetooth technique. According to theinstructions, the respective modules can perform their own switchprocedures in parallel. The channel module switching means 2430 obtainsall required parameters from the reference channel—the mobilecommunication channel 0 (the wireless interface 2300) and provides themto the wireless interface 2200, so that the antenna 2250 and the RFmodule 2240 can operate in the mobile communication operation frequencyband and provide the A/D and D/A converter 2230 with the clock signal ofthe mobile communication clock 2320 as its baseband sample clocks.Through the switch procedure, the data channel switching means 2420causes the A/D and D/A converter 2230 in the wireless interface 2200 toexchange data with the mobile communication baseband processor 2310 inthe wireless interface 2300 other than with the WLAN baseband processor2110 in the wireless interface 2200. At the same time, the data channelswitching means 2420 keeps data exchange between the A/D and D/Aconverter 2130 and the Bluetooth baseband processor 2110 in the wirelessinterface 2100. In this way, the wireless interface 2200 work as amobile communication channel 1 for mobile communication in the MIMO modetogether with the wireless interface 2300 (i.e. the wireless mobilecommunication channel 0), and the wireless interface 2100 works as theBluetooth interface for data communication based on the Bluetoothwireless technique. Upon receipt of the switch notification from theswitch notifying unit 2410, the array element switching module 2413switches algorithm required in processing the MIMO signal, for example,a corresponding algorithm used in the spatial filter 2311 and the signalanalyzing module 2312 to an algorithm adapted to the situation in whichthe number of array elements in the antenna array is 2. In the downlinkdirection, signals from the mobile communication channels 0 and 1 areinputted into the mobile communication baseband processor 2310, adjustedby the adjustment-correction module 2414 and then inputted into thespatial filter 2311 and subsequently into the signal analyzing module2312 in which the received multi-channel spatial multiplexing signalsare baseband processed. Next, the resulted data is transferred to theapplication processor 2000 for subsequent application such as multimediapresentation. Signals from the Bluetooth communication channel areprocessed by the Bluetooth baseband processor 2110 and then inputed intothe application processor 2000 for subsequent processing. In the uplinkdirection, mobile communication data to be transmitted is transferred tothe mobile communication baseband processor 2310 by the applicationprocessor 2000 to form baseband signals, which are in turn sent on thenmobile communication channels 0 and 1 in the MIMO mode and via theantenna array; and Bluetooth data to be transmitted is transferred tothe Bluetooth baseband processor 2210 by the application processor 2000to form Bluetooth baseband signals, which are in turn transmitted in theBluetooth channel.

The embodiment as depicted in FIG. 2 has been described in detail, andits two typical operating states haven been described with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4. The embodiment as depicted in FIG. 2 provides a solutionfor a multimode communication terminal enabling an antenna array basedon the architecture of the current multimode communication terminal.Such a solution can support the MIMO communication mode through theswitch procedure merely by adding the channel switch layer to theexisting terminal without adding or changing the existing wirelessinterfaces. The advantage of this solution is that the manufacturer candirectly modify the existing terminal to obtain the expansion functionof the new MIMO mode, thereby saving the design and manufacture costs.

It is advantageous to use the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 as atransition solution compatible with the existing products. However, foran ultimate solution, a unified architecture is desired for themultimode communication terminal according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary configuration of a multimode communicationterminal enabling an antenna array according to another embodiment ofthe present invention. The multimode communication terminal according tothis embodiment of the present invention provides a more flexible RFsolution for the antenna array mode and other various radioapplications. Compared with FIG. 2, a multimode communication terminal500 as depicted in FIG. 5 has a more unified and optimizedconfiguration.

As depicted in FIG. 5, the multimode communication terminal 500 maysupport, for example, three communication protocols (i.e. support threecommunication modes), including the mobile communication protocolE3G/B3G/4G, the WLAN protocol and the Bluetooth protocol. The multimodecommunication terminal 500 is provided with a unified wireless interface5100 instead of special interfaces for communicating according torespective protocols, to exchange data with an application processor5000 and thereby perform data communication according to a correspondingprotocol. The unified wireless interface 5100 comprises a universaldigital baseband processor 5110 and three sets of channel modules(including antennas, RF processing modules, clocks, A/D and D/Aconverters etc.).

The digital baseband processor 5110 incorporates the baseband processorsused for these three communication protocols, namely an E3G/B3G/4Gbaseband processing module 5113, a WLAN baseband processing module 5114and a Bluetooth baseband processing module 5115. During communicationbased on the mobile communication protocol E3G/B3G/4G, the terminal,under certain conditions, needs to operate in the MIMO operation modei.e., receive and send data using an antenna array. Therefore, like themobile communication baseband processor 2310 as depicted in FIG. 2, theuniversal digital baseband processor 5110 further comprises a spatialfilter 5111 and a signal analyzing module 5112, which are used forprocessing MIMO spatial multiplexing signals. Moreover, the universaldigital baseband processor 5110 is also used for carrying out part offunctions of the channel switch layer, which will be set forth in detailbelow.

Each of the three sets of the channel modules comprises an antenna, a RFprocessing module, a clock as well as an A/D and D/A converter.Preferably, corresponding components in the respective sets of channelmodules may have the same or similar configuration and characteristics.This facilitates unifying the design and manufacture of the channelmodules, thereby optimizing the arrangement of the channel modules andreducing its area on the terminal. Moreover, this can shrink thecharacteristic difference of the respective channels in construction,process and other aspects and helps multimode communication mode 500 tooperate in the MIMO mode normally and efficiently.

The multimode communication terminal 500 further comprises a channelswitch layer 5400 used for switching the terminal's operating state(mode). In this embodiment, Selection of the operation mode in which themultimode communication terminal 500 operates is totally controlled bythe channel switch layer 5400. Through the switch procedure, the channelswitch layer 5400 can configure any channel to operate according to anyone of the three protocols. The channel switch layer 5400 comprises aswitch notifying unit 5410, data channel switching means 5420, channelmodule switching means 5430, an array element switching module 5413 andan optional adjustment-correction module 5414. The channel switch layer5400 further comprises a wireless protocol switching means 5440.

Like the switch notifying unit 2410 in the embodiment as depicted inFIG. 2, the switch notifying unit 5410 may be implemented as afunctional module residing on application processor 5000 or anothercontrol processor in the multimode communication terminal 500. Theswitch notifying unit 5410 issues instructions to other modules on thechannel switch layer 5400, notifying them of a state to be switchedinto. Likewise, the switch notifying unit 5410 can be configured toselect a currently optimum switch policy based on a certainpredetermined rule(s) which, for example, may comprise: how to selectthe number of the wireless interfaces to be switched, how to decidewhich wireless interface or wireless interfaces can be switched, etc. Itshould be noted that in this embodiment, the operating state of themultimode communication terminal 500 is determined through switch by thechannel switch layer 5400, instead of being limited by the channelmodules per se. Therefore, the optimum switch policy which the switchnotifying unit 5410 is based on is somewhat different from that in theembodiment as depicted in FIG. 2. However, those skilled in the art canadjust and change the policy to adapt it to the present embodimentwithout the exercise of inventive skill.

Like the channel module switching means 2430 as depicted in FIG. 2, thechannel module switching means 5430 extracts channel parameters of areference channel (i.e. a wireless interface) according to the switchinstructions issued from the switch notifying unit 5410, and configuresthe wireless interface(s) to be switched with the extracted parameters.In this embodiment, the channel module switching means 5430 may use anychannel as the reference channel and extract the desired parameters orobtain a corresponding signal (such as a control signal) therefrom.According to the received switch notification, the channel moduleswitching means 5430 can configure modules of any channel by using theobtained parameters or corresponding signal, in order to perform aswitch procedure. It should be understood that a more flexible switchprocedure is achieved in this embodiment.

Like the data channel switching means 2420 as depicted in FIG. 2, thedata channel switching means 5420 is used for switching baseband datafrom and/or to the A/D and D/A converter, so as to process correspondingbaseband data by using a corresponding baseband processing module. Sincea unified wireless interface architecture is adopted in this embodiment,preferably, the data channel switching means 5420 may be implemented asa functional module residing on the universal digital baseband processor5110. In such way, all A/D and D/A converters may exchange baseband datawith the universal digital baseband processor 5110 directly. Then, softrouting of the baseband data is performed by the data channel switchingmeans 5420. For example, when the three channels operate in a mobilecommunication mode of MIMO state, the data channel switching means 5420switches baseband signals from the three channels to the signal dataprocessing channel including the spatial filter 5111 and the signalanalyzer 5112, which are then connected to the E3G/B3G/4G basebandprocessing module 5113. The functions of the data channel switchingmeans 5420 will become more apparent from the detailed description ofthe multimode communication terminal 500.

According to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 5, the channel switchlayer 5400 further comprises a wireless protocol switching means 5440used for assisting data channel switching means 5420 in selecting aproper baseband processing module for baseband data. It is advantageousto configure the wireless protocol switching means 5440 in the case thatthe multimode communication terminal 500 operates in a hybrid mode (e.g.operates in a hybrid mode of the mobile communication mode and theBluetooth mode). The wireless protocol switching means 5440 may beimplemented as a functional module residing on the universal digitalbaseband processor 5110, and the functions thereof will become moreapparent from the description of the multimode communication terminal500.

The function and usage of the array element switching module 5413 andthe optional adjustment-correction module 5414 are similar to those ofthe array element switching module 2413 and the optionaladjustment-correction module 2414 as depicted in FIG. 2, and detailsthereof are omitted.

Those skilled in the art may understand that various modifications canbe made to the configuration of the multimode communication terminal 500as depicted in FIG. 5. For example, since each sample clock isassociated with a baseband sample rate of a radio application fixedly,to achieve more flexible channel distribution, each clock signal may bedispatched to a corresponding A/D and D/A converter by channel moduleswitching means 5430, instead of being provided by the sample clock. Ofcourse, such a modification requires the arrangement of the channelmodule switching means 5430 to change accordingly.

FIG. 6 schematically depicts an operating state in which the multimodecommunication terminal as depicted in FIG. 5 operates in a communicationmode using the MIMO technique.

As depicted in FIG. 6, the switch notifying unit 5410 issues switchinstructions to all modules on the channel switch layer 5400, notifyingall channels of switching into the operation mode using the MIMOtechnique. According to the instructions, the respective modules performtheir own switch procedures in parallel. The channel module switchingmeans 5430 obtains all required parameters from a reference channel (anychannel can be used as the reference channel, which is assumed to be themobile communication channel 0 here), configure the channels 1 and 2using these obtained parameters so that the antennas 5150, 5250 and theRF modules 5140, 5240 operate in the mobile communication operationfrequency band, and provides the A/D and D/A converters 5130, 5230 and5330 with clock signals of mobile communication clock 5320 as theirbaseband sample clocks. In the downlink direction, the data channelswitching means 5420 switches mobile communication MIMO data from thethree wireless channels to a signal data processing channel includingthe adjustment-correction module 5414, the spatial filter 5111 and thesignal analyzer 5112. Upon receipt of the switch notification from theswitch notifying unit 5410, the array element switching module 5413switches algorithm required in processing the MIMO signal, for example,a corresponding algorithm used in the spatial filter 5311 and the signalanalyzing module 5312 to an algorithm adapted to the situation in whichthe number n of array elements in the antenna array is 3. According tothe switch notification from the switch notifying unit 5410, thewireless protocol switching means 5440 feeds inputted mobilecommunication data to the corresponding E3G/B3G/4G baseband processingmodule 5113 which then transfers the processed data to the applicationprocessor 5000 for subsequent application. The data flow and dataprocessing in the uplink direction are similar to those in the downlinkdirection, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 7 schematically depicts an operating state in which the multimodecommunication terminal as depicted in FIG. 5 simultaneously operates ina communication mode using the MIMO technique and another mode.

As depicted in FIG. 7, the switch notifying unit 5410 issues switchinstructions to all modules on the channel switch layer 5400, notifyingthe channels 0 and 1 to switch into the operation mode using the MIMOtechnique, while the channel 2 keeps the original communication based onthe Bluetooth technique. According to the instructions, the respectivemodules perform their own switch procedures in parallel. The channelmodule switching means 5430 obtains all required parameters from areference channel (any channel can be used as the reference channel,which is assumed to be the mobile communication channel 0 here),configures channel 1 using the obtained parameters so that the antenna5250 and the RF module 5240 to operate in the mobile communicationoperation frequency band, and provides the A/D and D/A converters 5230and 5330 with clock signals of the mobile communication clock 5320 astheir baseband sample clocks; the channel module switching means 5430causes the antenna 5150 and the RF module 5140 to operate in theBluetooth protocol operation frequency band and provides the A/D and D/Aconverter 5130 with a clock signal of Bluetooth clock 5120 as itsbaseband sample clock. In the downlink direction, the data channelswitching means 5420 switches mobile communication MIMO data from thechannels 0 and 1 to a signal data processing channel including theadjustment-correction module 5414, the spatial filter 5111 and thesignal analyzer 5112; and the data channel switching means 5420 switchesBluetooth baseband signals from the RF channel 2 to the wirelessprotocol switching means 5440 directly. Upon receipt of the switchnotification from the switch notifying unit 5410, the array elementswitching module 5413 switches algorithm required in processing the MIMOsignal, for example, a corresponding algorithm used in the spatialfilter 5311 and the signal analyzing module 5312 to an algorithm adaptedto the situation in which the number n of array elements in the antennaarray is 2. According to the switch notification from the switchnotifying unit 5410, the wireless protocol switching means 5440 feedsinputted mobile communication data to the corresponding E3G/B3G/4Gbaseband processing module 5113; the wireless protocol switching means5440 feeds inputted Bluetooth data to the corresponding Bluetoothbaseband processing module 5115. Then, the E3G/B3G/4G basebandprocessing module 5113 and the Bluetooth baseband processing module 5115transfer the processed data (both mobile communication data andBluetooth data) to the application processor 5000 for subsequentapplication. The data flow and data processing in the uplink directionare similar to those in the downlink direction, and description thereofis omitted.

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of a method of enabling a MIMO operation modethrough switch on a multimode communication terminal according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

In step S800, the multimode communication terminal according to thepresent invention begins a switch procedure. The switch procedure isstarted when a switch is necessary (e.g. required by Quality of Service,designated by a user) and the current wireless interfaces meet someswitch conditions. According to the previous description, whether or notthe switch procedure is started is associated with the switch policyimplemented in the multimode communication terminal. Any modificationand variation can be made by those skilled in the art.

In step S801, each switch module on the channel switch layer of themultimode communication terminal according to the present invention isnotified to get prepared for switch. Depending on the specificimplementation of the multimode communication terminal, thisnotification may be a simple switch signal or instructions indicating anoperating state to be switched into, or a complex command containingother parameter information associated with the switch. Here, supposethis notification indicates each switch module to switch from a non-MIMOoperation mode (e.g. the wireless interfaces (RF channels) operaterespectively in the Bluetooth mode, WLAN mode and mobile communicationmode) to a MIMO operation mode using an antenna array (e.g. the statesas depicted in FIGS. 3, 4 or FIGS. 6, 7).

In one aspect, a switch of channel modules is preformed in the switchprocedure. In step S802, parameters required for switching a channel areextracted from a reference channel. Depending on the concrete switchmechanism adopted by the channel components in the multimodecommunication terminal, these parameters may be concrete parameters ofRF characters adapted by the radio application to be switched into,including RF central frequency, IF frequency, bandwidth, baseband samplerate etc., or may be only simple switch signals (containinginstructions). In particular, a sample clock of the reference channelneeds to be extracted in order to ensure that respective MIMO channelscan operate with a completely synchronous clock after the switchprocedure.

In step S803, the channel module to be switched is configured with theobtained parameters. Depending on the hardware configuration of specificchannel modules, the procedure of configuring the channel module withthe parameters might be different in this step. For example, a controlsignal can be sent to the RF module to indicate it to switch into adesired operation mode; or specific parameter values can be delivered toa designated input of the RF module to convert its operation mode. Inparticular, the sample clock extracted from the reference channel needsto be provided to the channel to be switched in order to ensure thatrespective MIMO channels can operate with a completely synchronous clockafter the switch procedure.

A switch of data channels is then performed in this switch procedure. Instep S804, data channels are switched in order to set up a data channeladapted to the operation mode to be switched into. For example, in thepresent example, that is, during switching from a non-MIMO operationmode (e.g. the wireless interfaces operate respectively in the Bluetoothmode, WLAN mode and mobile communication mode) to a MIMO operation modeusing an antenna array (e.g. states as depicted in FIGS. 3, 4 or FIGS.6, 7), a data channel has to be established between the channels to beswitched into the MIMO operation mode and the respective modules forprocessing spatial multiplexing signals of the MIMO operation mode.

A switch of corresponding algorithms may further performed in the switchprocedure. In step S805, which is optional, an algorithm for processinga spatial multiplexing signal is selected, which is adapted to theantenna array state to be switched into. For example, during switchingfrom a non-MIMO operation mode to the MIMO operation mode using anantenna array as depicted in FIG. 3 or 6, an algorithm for processingspatial multiplexing signal is selected, which is adapted to thesituation in which the number of antenna array elements is 3; duringswitching from a non-MIMO operation mode to the MIMO operation modeusing an antenna array as depicted in FIG. 4 or 7, an algorithm forprocessing spatial multiplexing signal is selected, which is adapted tothe situation in which the number of antenna array elements is 2. Itshould be understood that in some examples, the optional step S805 ofanother aspect of the switch procedure can be omitted (this step is notneeded in an exemplary case that the multimode communication terminal isconfigured to be only switched into a MIMO mode using a fixed number ofantenna array elements). Although this example without step S805 is notpreferable because it reduces the flexibility of multimode selectionpreformed by the multimode communication terminal, it can be analternative embodiment of the present invention.

The procedure is ended in step S806.

In the example as depicted in FIG. 8, the respective aspects of thisswitch procedure are performed in parallel. The respective aspects ofthe switch are performed in series as depicted in FIG. 9 (description ofthe respective steps as depicted in FIG. 9 is similar to that asdepicted in FIG. 8 and thus is omitted here)or in a combination ofseries and parallel (not depicted). This relies on the specificcircuitry design adopted in the multimode communication terminal andaccordingly the matching among various signals during the switchprocedure. Therefore, it can be understood by those skilled in the artthat any switch procedure performed in any order can be used as aspecific implementation of the present invention, provided it willachieve the object of the present invention.

According to other embodiments of the present invention, the method ofenabling a MIMO operation mode through switch in a multimodecommunication terminal can comprise other additional step(s). In anembodiment, the step of switching data channels (in step S804) furthercomprises the step of selecting a baseband processing module to obtainbaseband data from it or provide it with baseband data.

The flowchart of FIG. 8 and the corresponding explanation thereof setforth a typical switch procedure in which the multimode communicationterminal according to the present invention switches from a non-MIMOoperation mode to a MIMO operation mode. However, it should beunderstood that the switch procedure in which the multimodecommunication terminal according to the present invention switches froma non-MIMO operation mode to a MIMO operation mode is similar to areverse switch procedure with respect to the procedure depicted in FIG.8. The switch procedure of switching from a non-MIMO operation mode toanother non-MIMO operation mode can be implemented as a switch proceduresimilar to that well known in the present field. In addition, the switchprocedure of switching from a MIMO operation mode to another MIMOoperation mode (if necessary) is similar to the flow as depicted in FIG.8 and can be implemented by adaptively adjusting the specificimplementation of the respective steps.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the artcan make various modifications or alterations within the scope definedby the claims as appended.

1. A multimode communication terminal, comprising: a first channelmodule; a second channel module, wherein said multimode communicationterminal can be configured to communicate by using said first channelmodule and/or said second channel module, said first and second channelmodules communicating according to different communication protocolsrespectively; and a channel switch layer means for switching said firstchannel module to have parameter characteristics consistent with thoseof said second channel module, such that said multimode communicationterminal enables a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) operation modeby using said first channel module and said second channel module at thesame time, wherein said MIMO operation mode uses multiple antennas bothat a transmitter and a receiver.
 2. The multimode communication terminalaccording to claim 1, wherein said channel switch layer means comprises:a channel module switching means for extracting corresponding parametersfrom said second channel module, and for configuring at least said firstchannel module to be switched with said extracted parameters, such thatsaid first channel module and said second channel module enable saidmultimode communication terminal to perform MIMO communication.
 3. Themultimode communication terminal according to claim 2, wherein saidchannel switch layer means further comprises: a switch notifying unitfor issuing, upon determination of a switch, notification instructionsto means in said channel switch layer means; and a data channelswitching means for changing a data channel associated with said firstchannel module so that said first channel module and said second channelmodule can be adapted to said MIMO operation mode; wherein said datachannel switching means operates according to the notificationinstructions of said switch notifying unit; wherein said channel moduleswitching means operates according to the notification instructions ofsaid switch notifying unit; and wherein said parameters from said secondchannel module include specific operating state parameters of thechannel modules and/or signals controlling operating states of thechannel modules.
 4. The multimode communication terminal according toclaim 3, wherein said channel module switching means is further used forextracting a reference sample clock signal from said second channelmodule for providing said first channel module to be switched with saidreference sample clock signal as a sample clock thereof.
 5. Themultimode communication terminal according to claim 4, wherein saidchannel switch layer means further comprises: an array element switchingmodule for selecting a spatial multiplexing signal processing algorithmthat is adapted to an antenna array state of said MIMO operation mode tobe switched to; wherein said array element switching module operatesaccording to said notification instructions of said switch notifyingunit.
 6. The multimode communication terminal according to claim 4,wherein said channel switch layer means further comprises: anadjustment-correction module for correcting a channel difference of saidchannel modules which are switched to said MIMO operation mode; whereinsaid adjustment-correction module operates according to the notificationinstructions of said switch notifying unit.
 7. The multimodecommunication terminal according to claim 4, wherein said channel switchlayer means is further used for arranging said switch of all of saidchannel modules in a unified way, such that said multimode communicationmode can freely operate in a desired operation mode by using one or moreof all the channel modules.
 8. The multimode communication terminalaccording to claim 7, wherein: said data channel switching means isfurther used for arranging data channels associated with said channelmodules in a unified way, such that said channel modules can be adaptedto a desired operation mode; and said data channel switching meansfurther includes protocol switching means for establishing data channelsfrom said channel modules to proper baseband processing modulesaccording to a current operation mode of said multimode communicationterminal.
 9. The multimode communication terminal according to claim 1,wherein said channel modules comprise: an antenna; a RF processingmodule; a sample clock; and an A/D and D/A converter.
 10. The multimodecommunication terminal according to claim 1, wherein said communicationprotocols of said first and second channel modules are selected from thegroup consisting of: a Bluetooth communication protocol, a WLANcommunication protocol and a mobile communication protocol.
 11. A methodfor enabling a MIMO operation mode in a multimode communicationterminal, the method comprising the step of: switching a first channelmodule to have parameter characteristics consistent with those of asecond channel module, so that said multimode communication terminalenables said MIMO operation mode by using said first channel module andsaid second channel module at the same time.
 12. The method according toclaim 11, wherein said switching step further comprises the steps of:extracting corresponding parameters from said second channel module; andconfiguring said first channel module to be switched with said extractedparameters, such that said first channel module and said second channelmodule enable said multimode communication terminal to perform MIMOcommunication.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein saidswitching step further comprises the steps of: issuing, upondetermination of a switch, notification instructions to means in channelswitch layer means; and changing a data channel associated with saidfirst channel module, such that said first channel module and saidsecond channel module can be adapted to said MIMO operation mode;wherein said step of changing said data channel is performed accordingto the notification instruction of said switch notifying unit; whereinsaid step of extracting and configuring parameters is performedaccording to the notification instructions of said switch notifyingunit; and wherein said parameters from said second channel moduleinclude specific operating state parameters of channel modules and/orsignals controlling operating states of the channel modules.
 14. Themethod according to claim 13, wherein: said step of extractingcorresponding parameters further comprises a step of extracting areference sample clock signal from said second channel module; said stepof configuring said first channel module further comprises a step ofproviding said first channel module to be switched with said referencesample clock signal as a sample clock thereof.
 15. The method accordingto claim 14, wherein said switching step further comprises the step of:selecting a spatial multiplexing signal processing algorithm which isadapted to an antenna array state of said MIMO operation mode to beswitched to; wherein the step of selecting is performed according to thenotification instructions of said switch notifying unit.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 14, wherein said switching step further comprises thestep of: correcting a channel difference of said channel modules whichare switched to said MIMO operation mode; wherein the step of correctingsaid channel difference is performed according to the notificationinstructions of said switch notifying unit.
 17. The method according toclaim 14, wherein said switching step further comprises the step of:arranging said switch of said channel modules in a unified way, suchthat said multimode communication mode can freely operate in desiredoperation mode by using one or more of said channel modules.
 18. Themethod according to claim 17, wherein said step of changing said datachannel associated with the channel module further comprises the stepof: arranging said data channels associated with said channel modules ina unified way, such that said channel modules can be adapted to adesired operation mode; wherein said step of arranging data channels ina unified way comprises a step of establishing data channels from therespective channel modules to the proper baseband processing modulesaccording to a current operation mode of said multimode communicationterminal.
 19. The method according to claim 11, wherein said channelmodule comprises: an antenna; a RF processing module; a sample clock;and an A/D and D/A converter.
 20. The method according to claim 11,wherein said different communication protocols of said first and secondchannel modules are selected from the group consisting of: a Bluetoothcommunication protocol, a WLAN communication protocol and a mobilecommunication protocol.